,NSG3280/NSG 3280 Exam 2 | Pathophysiology for
Nurses I | Galen College | Q & A | 2026/2027
Edition (PDF)
1. Which of the following best describes the primary function of the inflammatory response?
A) To create a state of immunity against future pathogens
B) To localize and eliminate the injurious agent and remove damaged tissue
C) To produce antibodies against specific antigens
D) To activate the complement cascade for cell lysis
Correct Answer: To localize and eliminate the injurious agent and remove damaged tissue
Rationale: The inflammatory response is a non-specific, protective reaction to injury or infection. Its
primary goals are to contain the damage, neutralize harmful agents, and clear away debris to begin the
healing process. The other options describe functions of the adaptive immune system.
2. A patient presents with redness, heat, swelling, and pain at the site of a minor skin infection. Which
term describes these classic signs of inflammation?
A) Rubor, calor, tumor, and dolor
B) Erythema, edema, and ecchymosis
C) Induration, erythema, and exudate
D) Pruritus, pustules, and petechiae
Correct Answer: Rubor, calor, tumor, and dolor
Rationale: The four cardinal signs of inflammation are rubor (redness), calor (heat), tumor (swelling),
and dolor (pain). They result from increased blood flow, capillary permeability, and the action of
inflammatory mediators. The other options list combinations of signs that are not the classic four.
3. What is the first type of leukocyte to arrive at the site of acute inflammation?
,A) Macrophages
B) Lymphocytes
C) Neutrophils
D) Basophils
Correct Answer: Neutrophils
Rationale: Neutrophils are the first white blood cells to arrive at an inflammatory site, typically within
60-90 minutes. They are the primary phagocytes responsible for engulfing bacteria and debris.
Macrophages arrive later, and lymphocytes are more involved in the adaptive immune response.
4. A researcher is studying the process of phagocytosis. Which of the following describes the correct
sequence of this process?
A) Adherence, Engulfment, Chemotaxis, Digestion
B) Chemotaxis, Adherence, Engulfment, Digestion
C) Engulfment, Chemotaxis, Adherence, Digestion
D) Digestion, Adherence, Chemotaxis, Engulfment
Correct Answer: Chemotaxis, Adherence, Engulfment, Digestion
Rationale: Phagocytosis is a multi-step process: chemotaxis (movement toward the target), adherence
(attachment to the target), engulfment (the cell membrane surrounds the target), and digestion (the
target is broken down by lysosomal enzymes). The other options present incorrect sequences.
5. Which cell type is primarily responsible for the production of antibodies?
A) T-lymphocytes
B) B-lymphocytes
C) Natural Killer (NK) cells
D) Macrophages
, Correct Answer: B-lymphocytes
Rationale: B-lymphocytes are the cells of the adaptive immune system that differentiate into plasma
cells, which produce antibodies (immunoglobulins). T-lymphocytes are involved in cell-mediated
immunity, NK cells provide innate immunity, and macrophages are phagocytic cells.
6. A patient is diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. What is the underlying pathophysiological
mechanism of this condition?
A) Overproduction of antibodies against environmental allergens
B) Destruction of immune cells by a viral infection
C) The immune system fails to distinguish self from non-self
D) A deficiency in the production of complement proteins
Correct Answer: The immune system fails to distinguish self from non-self
Rationale: Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system loses tolerance to self-antigens and
mounts an immune response against the body's own tissues. This leads to the production of
autoantibodies and tissue damage. The other options describe different immunological phenomena.
7. Which of the following is a function of the complement system?
A) Production of antibodies
B) Direct killing of viruses inside cells
C) Opsonization and lysis of pathogens
D) Presentation of antigens to T-cells
Correct Answer: Opsonization and lysis of pathogens
Rationale: The complement system is a cascade of proteins that enhances the ability of antibodies and
phagocytic cells to clear pathogens. Its key functions include opsonization (marking pathogens for
phagocytosis) and the formation of the membrane attack complex, which lyses target cells.
Nurses I | Galen College | Q & A | 2026/2027
Edition (PDF)
1. Which of the following best describes the primary function of the inflammatory response?
A) To create a state of immunity against future pathogens
B) To localize and eliminate the injurious agent and remove damaged tissue
C) To produce antibodies against specific antigens
D) To activate the complement cascade for cell lysis
Correct Answer: To localize and eliminate the injurious agent and remove damaged tissue
Rationale: The inflammatory response is a non-specific, protective reaction to injury or infection. Its
primary goals are to contain the damage, neutralize harmful agents, and clear away debris to begin the
healing process. The other options describe functions of the adaptive immune system.
2. A patient presents with redness, heat, swelling, and pain at the site of a minor skin infection. Which
term describes these classic signs of inflammation?
A) Rubor, calor, tumor, and dolor
B) Erythema, edema, and ecchymosis
C) Induration, erythema, and exudate
D) Pruritus, pustules, and petechiae
Correct Answer: Rubor, calor, tumor, and dolor
Rationale: The four cardinal signs of inflammation are rubor (redness), calor (heat), tumor (swelling),
and dolor (pain). They result from increased blood flow, capillary permeability, and the action of
inflammatory mediators. The other options list combinations of signs that are not the classic four.
3. What is the first type of leukocyte to arrive at the site of acute inflammation?
,A) Macrophages
B) Lymphocytes
C) Neutrophils
D) Basophils
Correct Answer: Neutrophils
Rationale: Neutrophils are the first white blood cells to arrive at an inflammatory site, typically within
60-90 minutes. They are the primary phagocytes responsible for engulfing bacteria and debris.
Macrophages arrive later, and lymphocytes are more involved in the adaptive immune response.
4. A researcher is studying the process of phagocytosis. Which of the following describes the correct
sequence of this process?
A) Adherence, Engulfment, Chemotaxis, Digestion
B) Chemotaxis, Adherence, Engulfment, Digestion
C) Engulfment, Chemotaxis, Adherence, Digestion
D) Digestion, Adherence, Chemotaxis, Engulfment
Correct Answer: Chemotaxis, Adherence, Engulfment, Digestion
Rationale: Phagocytosis is a multi-step process: chemotaxis (movement toward the target), adherence
(attachment to the target), engulfment (the cell membrane surrounds the target), and digestion (the
target is broken down by lysosomal enzymes). The other options present incorrect sequences.
5. Which cell type is primarily responsible for the production of antibodies?
A) T-lymphocytes
B) B-lymphocytes
C) Natural Killer (NK) cells
D) Macrophages
, Correct Answer: B-lymphocytes
Rationale: B-lymphocytes are the cells of the adaptive immune system that differentiate into plasma
cells, which produce antibodies (immunoglobulins). T-lymphocytes are involved in cell-mediated
immunity, NK cells provide innate immunity, and macrophages are phagocytic cells.
6. A patient is diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. What is the underlying pathophysiological
mechanism of this condition?
A) Overproduction of antibodies against environmental allergens
B) Destruction of immune cells by a viral infection
C) The immune system fails to distinguish self from non-self
D) A deficiency in the production of complement proteins
Correct Answer: The immune system fails to distinguish self from non-self
Rationale: Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system loses tolerance to self-antigens and
mounts an immune response against the body's own tissues. This leads to the production of
autoantibodies and tissue damage. The other options describe different immunological phenomena.
7. Which of the following is a function of the complement system?
A) Production of antibodies
B) Direct killing of viruses inside cells
C) Opsonization and lysis of pathogens
D) Presentation of antigens to T-cells
Correct Answer: Opsonization and lysis of pathogens
Rationale: The complement system is a cascade of proteins that enhances the ability of antibodies and
phagocytic cells to clear pathogens. Its key functions include opsonization (marking pathogens for
phagocytosis) and the formation of the membrane attack complex, which lyses target cells.
